We caught up with Marianas Trench (Matt & Ian) at Riot Fest 2025 in Chicago to talk about crafting a high-energy 30-minute festival set, the storytelling arc behind Haven, and why they’re only playing “Down To You” from the new record in this run. They break down live harmony swaps (Matt/Mike taking leads so Josh can breathe), the reality of cramming “bangers” into a short slot, and what makes Chicago crowds special.
They also share what’s next: ~6 weeks of U.S. touring through late October, then back to the studio to start a new album (targeting early next year). Dream collab? Freddie Mercury/Queen—lock them in a room with Josh and watch chaos (and harmonies) happen.
Highlights
Festival strategy: “all killer, no filler” in 30 minutes
Haven live details: harmony stacks, “Worlds Collide” moments
Chicago fans = engaged, vocal, no-phones energy
Tour → studio → new music coming early next year
🎥 Interview by Music Coast at Riot Fest 2025
🔗 Music Coast links: https://links.musiccoast.com
